• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than three years after he was murdered by communist-terrorists, justice has been served to Cpl. Mark Anthony Quiocson, then a trooper of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB).
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said that the caliber .45 pistol taken from Quiocson by the ambushers was among the three firearms recovered by Army soldiers after an encounter in Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental on Jan. 17, where two NPA members also died.
With the positive identification of the firearm as the one issued to the late soldier, Edralin said it is a clear evidence that they were behind the gruesome murder.
Quiocson, who was a team operator of the 62IB’s Community Support Program (CSP), was killed in an ambush in Barangay Luz Sikatuna, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on July 1, 2020.
Driving a Kawasaki motorcycle, Quiocson was on his way to rejoin other CSP team members when the NPA rebels waylaid him.
They took his service firearm, wallet containing cash and identification cards, and other personal belongings.
Edralin said that the other NPA rebels behind his death “should pay for their all evil acts in claiming the life of a dedicated Army soldier” who was performing his duty in securing the peace and safety of Negrosanons. | GB
